hoecken



K. HOECKEN.

TENS CARRYING MECHANISMS OF COMPUTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.I8, I917;

PatentedSept. 20,1921.

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m h 7 a /Z/Zu gwwa K. HOECKEN. TENS CARRYING MECHANISMS OF COMPUTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-18,1917.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TENS-GARRYING MECHANISM OF COMPUTING-MACHINES.

Application filed September To all whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that'I, KARL HoEcKEN,

engineer, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing in Berlin-Eriedenau, Germany, Kaiser-Allee 92, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tens- Carrying Mechanisms of Computing-Machines, (for whiclf'T have filed application in Germany on April 12, 1916,) of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to carrying mechanisms of the kind in which a differential gear is used for carrying the tens from a number wheel of a lower denomination to a number wheel of higher denomination. Experience has shown that the direct transference of the additional turning movement of the number wheels required for the tenscarrying operation in this manner. is only possible for a small number of digits,'as the cumulative ineffective motion or play between the teeth of the gear wheels will ultimately amount to the total angular movement required for effecting the carrying operation, so that the desired effect will be lost. Apart from this drawback the resistance engendered by the progression of the carrying .operation through several digits becomes very considerable.

Devices have been proposed for counteracting the loss of movement due to play, and the said additive resistance But, as far as these are of any practical importance, they are coupled with the disadvantage that the counter can only be operated to revolve in one direction, see for'example German Patent Nr. 284549, so that they can only be employed for pure addition machines. Besides, with these devices it is not possible to transfer more than one tens-carrying movement to one and the same digit in a single computing operation. Consequently the employing of such counter'in pure multiplication machines, in which the computing wheels are driven separately according to tens and units and equal or in proportion to the products of the multiplication table, is out of the guestion, as it may become nec essary to ad several tens in one and the same digit in a single calculation.

The present invention does away with these limitations and consists in the additional rotary movement which is executed by any number wheel in consequence of a tens-carrying operation, being derived from a shaft that is periodically coupled with Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 20, 1921,

18, 1917. Serial No. 191,980.

the switching mechanism or racks that dr ve the number wheels, but which constantly revolves duringa calculating operation, the transference of the said additional movement from the shaft to the number wheel of each digit being accomplished by means of a second differential. gear at-each d1g1t whose operation on the computing gear is controlled by a suitable controlling or switching device in such a manner that a close interaction between the differential gear and the computing gear results and ineffective motion is avoided. Moreover the arrangement is such that the counter may be revolved in both directions, so that it is not only suitable for addition, but also for subtraction and division. The tensioning of speclal driving springs at each digit after each calculating operation is no longer required; immediate changing from addition,

multiplication and subtraction and division is possible, and the faultless operation of the mechanism is quite independent of the number of digits, so that no limit is imposed on the capacity of the machine that 1s to be equipped with the new mechanism.

A design according to the invention is illustrated in the drawing in which Figure l 1 represents on an enlarged scale a rear perspectlveyiew of the carrying mechanism for two digits, the parts belonging to the first digit being drawn apart for the sake of clearness.

Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are side views of the essential parts of a carrying device as seen from the left, the parts being shown in the different consecutive positions they assume,

-in the case of a subtraction operation for example. Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section through the parts of the carrying mechanism and the number wheels of two digits seated on the main shaft.

The entiremechan'ism is supported by four shafts, Fig. 1, of which the shafts 2, 3 and 4 are rigidly fixed in the frame of the machine while the shaft 1 is revolubly mounted therein. Pinions 5 are fixed to this shaft 1 so that a pinion 5 moves simultaneously with it in each digit. The pinions 5 engage with gear wheels 6 that are rigidly coupled to toothed wheels 7 and rotatably mounted on pivots 8 that are fixed in round disks 10. (ogwheels 11 engage with the wheels 7, the wheels 11 being fixed to disks 1O which revolve on the shaft 1 upon which the disks 10 also revolve. The parts which have been so far described constitute a known differential gear which in the present case operates to take the additional rotary movement required for carrying the tens to the next digit from the shaft 1 in the'manner to be described. For the purpose of the description the shaft 1 will be supposed to be constantly revolving.

On the shaft 2, Fig. 1, two detents 14 and 14 which are fixed to each other by a bushing 44 are pivotally mounted opposite to the two disks 10 and 10 The bent ends or catches of the detents are adapted to engage with notches 12 and 13 in the disks 10 and 10". The angle that the detents 14 and 14" form, see Figs. 2 to 5, is such that when the catch of the detent has dropped into a notch of its corresponding disk the other detent with its catch moves to a position where it is not only clear of the periphery of the other disk, but also a slight distance beyond the outer edge of this disk as may be seen from the illustrations. The governing of the positions of these two detent's is performed by a cam lever 16 mounted on the same shaft 2 next to the detents, the lever 16 being provided with two cross-arms 17 and 18 andfixed to a bushing 19 that turns on the said shaft 2. By means of the spring 20, the one end of which is fixed in the bushing 19 while its other end is attached to the stop 15 of the detent 14, and by the'arm 17 of the lever 16 that abuts against the stop 15, the detents are positively coupled with the lever 16 so that they will usually move together with this lever. By a spring 24 that pulls-at the other arm 18 of the lever 16, this lever is always turned so that it presses against the stop 15 and tends to bring the detent 14 into engagement with the disk 10. The lever 16 is also provided with a cam 21 located in the path of stud 39 that is fixed to the number wheel of the next lower denomination in such a position that, if the change from 9 to. 0-,or ,vice versa in the observation openings or windows takes place in this position, it will push back the cam 21 and thus force the lever 16 to move in the direction opposing the action of the spring 24. The other end of this spring is attached to a piece 25 foi'med on the detent 23 that is pivoted on the'shaft 3, so that the catch 22 of the detent will engage the point 45 of the deflected lever 16 and prevent it from jumping back after the passage of the stud 39-: By this means and due to the spring 20 a tendency is imparted to the detents 14* and 14 to turn on the shaft 2 so that the detent 14 now releases its disk 10 while the detent-14 locks the other disk 10 The design of the carrying mechanism parts described is such that the desired efi'ect is accomplished no matter whether the shaft 1 is turned in the one or in the other direction.

By the means so far described the disk 10 that has hitherto remained stationary was brought into positive engagement with and rotated by the 'shaft twice its own speed either backward or forward as soon as a revolutioh of the next lower number wheel was completed.

Now the outer surface of the disk 10", see Figs. 2 to 6, bears an annular projection 30 having indentations 46 in which pins 29 are so fixed that when the disk revolves they turn a Maltese cross 28 that rotates on the shaft 4. Rigidly fixed to this Maltese cross is a five-cornered cam wheeler disk 31 upon whose edge bears a lever 27 which is deflected by the corners of the five-cornered disk when the latter is rotated. The lever 27 is combined by means of a bushing 26 with the previously-described detent 23 so as to rotate with this detent about the shaft 3. The result of this arrangement is, that when the Maltese cross is turned through a space of the pitch between two teeth, the lever 16 is released by the catch 22 of the detent 23, whereupon the spring 20 returns the detents 14 and 14 to their normal position, this resulting in the stopping of the disk 10 while 10 resumes its rotary movement.

The Maltese cross will thus always be turned-only through an angle corresponding to the pitch between two teeth. Coupled to and rotating with the cross and the disk 18 a pinion 32 that engages with a toothed wheel 33 mounted on the shaft 1. The ratio of transmission between these wheels 32 and 33, and the number of serrations in the Maltese cross are such that the wheel 33 moves around each time by a 1/20 of a revolution. This wheel is combined by a bushing with the cogwheel 34, Fig. 6, which is the central wheel of the known differential gearing or. train comprising the wheels 34, 35, '36 and 37 (Fig. 6) of the next denomination or digit, the ratio of transmission of this trainbeing 1 to 2 so that a 1/20 of a revolution of 34 will cause the wheel 37 and theattached number wheel 38 to execute of a revolution.

The rotating wheels 35, 36 are mounted on a pivot 42 fixed to the arm 41. This arm is fixed to the toothed wheel40 that revolves on a bushing, which bushing forms a ri id coupling between the wheels 33 and 34. he arm 41 thus rotates with the wheel 40 when it is revolved bythe rack 43, these racks being driven by the positioning mechanism of the computing machine so that a change in a positive or negative sense may be brought about in the particular digit in question independently of the tens-carrying operation that may take place.

It will be seen from the previous description that although all motions may be changed or reversed, a guided interaction of all parts, which ermits of no lost motion, is maintainedat al times, so that when the parts are returned. to their zero or normal positions, they will always assume the same positions relative to each other; The shaft 1 is driven by.means of a driving wheel, indicated at 4?, from the same propelling means as that which drives the positioning mechanism that actuates the racks.

The tens carrying mechanism operates in the following manner: In Fig. 2 all parts are shown in their normal positions during which the detent 14 is pressed against the periphery of the disk 10 as indicated by the arrow on the catch of 14". This action is caused by the operation of the spring 24 and by means of the arms 17 and'18 and the stop 15. On the-disk. 10 being moved further around, the detent will yield to this pressure and drop into one of its notches 13,

thus locking the disk, so that by the action of the rotatlng train 5, 6, 7, 11 the disk 10 will commence to revolve with the rotating pivot 8 that is now compelled to execute a rotary movement about the shaft 1. This operation of starting the disk 10 is illustrated in Fig. 2.

Now when the pin 39 of the number wheel of the next lower denomination reaches the cam 21 of the lever 16, it will force this cam radially outward, Fig. 3, causing the end,45 of the lever 16 to move under the catch 22 of the detent 23, so that the lever 16 and the detent 23 are kept in this position by the aid of the spring 24. At the same time the arm 17 moves away from the stop 15 so that the spring 20 deflects the detent 14 in the direction indicated by the arrow shownon the catch at the end of this lever causing this match to glide on the eriphery of the revolving disk 10 until it rops into one of its notches 12, Fig. 4. This causes 10 to stop, and since 14 was simultaneously lifted out of the notch 13, this disk 1O will revolve. On account of the continued rotation of the disk 10 one of the pins 29 will come into engagement with the Maltese cross and turn it through the distance of the pitch between two serrations, Fig. 5. The accompanyingrotation of the five-cornered disk 31 will then cause the lever 27 to force the catch 22 away from 45 so that the lever 16 is released from th detent 23 and the spring 24 will ull the detent 14 onto the periphery of the isk 10", which continues rotating. Since, as previously mentioned, the angle between the detents 14" and 14 is such that detent which happens to be out of engagement with the disk is slightly distant from the periphery of thesame, the spring 24 will turn the detent through this slight distance as soon as the catch 45 releases. This slight turning movement is accompanied by a corresponding radial inward motion of the lever 16, whereupon the catches 22 and 45 abut against. each other without locking, see Fig. 5, until upon the continued rotation shown in Fig. 1 is restored. This arrange- .ment is necessary because if the catch 22 were omitted and the catch 45 had to engage the detent 14 directly, a renewed looking of the detent 14 by the catch 45 wouldtake place since the Maltese cross completes its rotary movement and releases the catch 45 before the detent 14 snaps back into'the notch 13. 7

When the Maltese cross is turned through the distance between two serrations as described it imparts rotary movement by means of the gearwheels 32 and 33 and by the rotating transmission wheels of the next digit to the number wheel of the next higher denomination, the amount of rotary movement imparted corresponding to a unit in this digit. If this rotary movement happens to be combined with a change from 0 to 9 or. vice versa in the observation opening or window of the saidnext digit, the pin 39 in the number wheel appertaining thereto will actuate the carrying-mechanism of the next higherdenomination in the manner already set forth', and if required similar op erations will be'carried forward through any number of digits. As the energy for these operations is derived solely from the shaft 1 no failure of a carrying operation is possible and the time at which any carrying operation is executed is independent of the sequence of similar operations of lower digits. The only condition to be observed is that the speed at which the wheels 40 are driven by the positioning mechanism of the machine-is in such a ratio to the shaft 1 that the-pin 39 will not still be within the range of the cam 21 when this is executing its return movement.

I claim 2- 1. In a computing machine, the combination of a rotary actuating memberadapted to be rotated during. the computing operation; a numeral member; a higher order numeral member; movable means adapted to be actuated by said actuating member and to move said higher order numeral member an increment on each actuation; and means controlled by said first named numeral memher and adapted to cause said movable means to be actuated by said actuating means.

2. In a computing machine, the combination' of a rotary actuating member adapted to be rotated during the computing operation; a numeral member; a higher order numoral member; movable means adapted to be actuated by said actuating member and to move said higher-order numeral member an increment on each actuation; means controlled by said first named numeral member and adapted to cause said movable means'to be actuated by said actuating means; and

means adapted to cause said controlled means to become inoperative after an more ment of motion of said higher order numeral member.

3. In a computing machine, the combination of a rotary actuating member adapted to be rotated during the computing operation; a numeral member provided with a carrying means; movable means adapted to be actuated by said actuating means; a positioning member; a higher order numeral member adapted to be moved one step by and on each movement of actuation of said actuating means; means whereby said higher order member may be operated by either the movable means or the positioning member the one independently of the other; means controlled by said carrying means adapted to establish an operative connection between said actuating means and said movable means; and means adapted to automatically release said connection.

4. In a computing machine, the combination of a rotar actuating member adapted to be rotated uringthe computing operation; a numeral member provided with a carrying means; movable means adapted to be actuated by said actuating means; a positioning member; a higher order numeral member adapted to be moved one. step by and on each movement of actuation of said actuating means; means whereby said higher order member may be operated by either the means to cause said movable means to move an increment.

5. In a computing machine, the combination of a rotary actuating member adapted to be rotated during the computing operation; a numeral member provided with a carrying means; a. higher order numeral member; movable means adapted to rotate said higher order member an increment on each actuation by said actuating member; a positioning member; means whereby said higher order member may be operated by either the movable means or the positioning member the one independently of the other;

and means controlled by said carrying meansadapted to establish an'operative connection between said actuating means and said movable means...

6. In a computing machine, the combination of an actuating member; means adaptedto operate the actuating member; a looking means normally locking the actuating member; a numeral member provided with a carrying means to cause said locking means to release the actuating member; a movable means adapted to be moved by said actuating member; a positioning member;

a higher order numeral member; and a differential operatively interposed between said higher order member, said positioning member and said movable means.

7 In a computing machine, thecombination of a rotary member; an actuating member; a normally moving operating means; a differential operatively interposed between said means and members; a looking means adapted to be moved to lock either member and release'the other, and normally locking the actuating member; a numeral member provided with a carrying means to cause said locking means to release the actuating member and lock the rotary member; an actuating device on said actuating member; a movable means adapted to be rotated by said device; a positioning member; a higher order numeral member; and a differential operatively interposed between said higher order member, said positioning member and said movable means.

8. In a computing machine, the combination of a rotary disk; an actuating disk; a normally rotatlng means; a differential interposed between said disks and means; a locking means adaptedtto be rocked to lock either of said disks and to release the other; means yieldably holding said locking means in position to lock said actuating disk; a numeral wheel provided with a carrying means adapted to engage and cause said locking means to lock the rotaryvdisk and release the actuating disk; an actuating device on said actuating disk; a Maltese cross adapted to be rotated by said actuating device; a positioning member; a higher order numeral wheel; and a differential operativel interposed between said higher order whee said positioning member, and said cross.

9. In a computing machine, the combination of a rotary disk provided with a recess; an actuating disk provided with a notch; a normally rotating pinion; a differential interposed between said disks and meshing with said pinion; a detent lever having opposite detents adapted respectively to engage in said recess and notch; a cam lever yieldably connected to the detent lever; a spring engaging saidcam lever and causing one of said detents to engage said notch and the other to clear said recess; a numeral wheel provided with a stud adapted to engage said cam lever to press one of said detents against the periphery of the rotary disk and in the recess thereof; an actuating pin on said actuating disk; a Maltese cross adapted to be rotated by said pin; a positioning rack; a higher order numeral wheel; and a differential operatively interposed between said higher order wheel, said rack and said cross.

10. In a computing machine. the combination of a rotary disk provided with a recess; an actuating disk provided with a notch; a normally rotating pinion; a dif- .ferentialinterposed between said disks and meshing with said pinion; a detent lever having opposite detents adapted; respectively to engage in said recess and notch; a cam,

lever yieldably connected to the detent lever; a spring engaging said cam lever and causing one of said detents to engage said notch and the other to clear said recess; a

numeral wheel providedwitha stud adapted I to engage said cam lever to press one of said detents against the periphery of the rotary disk and in the recess thereof; a pivoted catch adapted to snap hold said cam lever in actuated position; an actuating pin on said actuating disk; aMaltese cross adapted to be rotated by said pin; a cam wheel fixed to said cross and provided with cam projections; and adapted to release said latch; a positioning rack; a higher-order numeral wheel; and a difi'erential opnotches; a lower order numeral wheel provided with a carrying means adapted to actuate the cam lever to press one of said detents into a recess, the other detent to release the actuating disk; a pivoted latch adapted to snap-overv and hold said cam lever in actuated position; a movable means adapted to be rotated by said actuating disk and provided with cam projections adapted to release said latch whereby said lever holds the pivoted latch at unlatched position until the movable means completes its actuation and the detent drops into a perlpheral notch; and a higher order numeral wheel actuated by said movable means.

12. In a computing" machine, the combination of a rotary disk provided with peripheral recesses; an actuating disk provided with peripheral notches; differential means tending to rotate one disk, or the other; a detent lever having opposite detents adapted to engage respectively in said recesses or notches; a cam lever yieldably connected to the detent lever; a spring engaging said lever and causing one of said detents to engage in one of said fnotchesand the other to clear said recesses; a lower order numeral wheel provided with a carrying stud adapted to engage the cam lever to press one or said detents against periphcry of onset said disks until such detents engage in a recess thereof and hold the rotary disk stationary and the other detent releases the actuating disk to allow'the la ter to rotate; a pivoted latch adapted to snap-over and holdsaid cam lever in actuated position; a movable means adapted to be rotated by said actuating disk; a cam wheel fixed to said movable means and provided with cam projections adapted to release said latch to permit one of saiddetents to press against the periphery of the actuating disk and cause said cam lever to hold the pivoted latch at unlatched position until the movable means completes its actuation and the detent drops into the peripheral notch; and a higher order numeral wheel actuated by said movable means,

13. In a computing machine, the combination of a rotary d1sk provided with pe ripheralrecesses; an actuating disk pro-- vided with peripheral notches; a small gear wheel fixed on said actuating disk; a normally rotating pinion; a diflerential set rotatably mounted on said actuating disk-and meshing with said gear wheel and pinion respectively whereby when either of said disks is held stationary the other rotates; a looking means normally locking the actuating disk and adapted to lock the rotary disk and release the actuating disk to permit it to move an increment; a numeral member provided with a carrying means to cause said locking means to release the actuating disk; a movable means adapted to be rotated'by said actuating disk;'a higher ordernumeral member; and means whereby said higher order member is operated by the movable means.

14. In a computing machine, the combination of a rotary disk providedrwith recesses; an actuating disk provided with notches; means adapted to operate the one disk when the other is locked; an inter mediately fulcrumed detent lever having opposite detents adapted respectively to engage in said recesses and notches; a cam lever yieldably connected to the detent lever and provided. with a cam projection; a spring engaging said cam lever and causing one of said detents to engage in one of saidnotches and the other to clear said recesses, whereby said actuating disk is held andthe rotary disk rotates; a lower order numeral wheel provided with a carrying means adapted to engage said cam projection to actuate the cam lever to press one of said detents against the periphery of the rotary disk until such detent engages in a) recess thereof and holds the rotary disk stationary and the other detent releases the actuating disk to allow the latter to rotate; a movable means adapted to be rotated by said actuating disk; a high order numeral member; a positioning wheel; andmeans whereby -said higher order wheel is operated by either the movable means or the ositionin mem-" bar the one independently of the other,

15; "in a computing macbine,the combination of an actuating member; means adapted to operate the actuating member; a locking lever means normally locking the actuating member arid adapted on release to permit the actuating member to move an increment; a numeral member provided with a carrying meansto engage and cause said locking lever means to release the actuating member; a pivoted latch adapted to snap over and hold said lever in actuate position; an actuating pin on said actuating member; a movable means adapted to be rotated by said actuating member and on rotation to release said latch; a cam wheel fixed to said movable means and provided with cam projections; a releasing lever secured to the pivoted latch and adapted to be engaged by the projections of said cam wheel after each actuation of the movable means thereby to release said latch; a positioning member; a higher order numeral member; and means whereby said higher order member is operated by either the movable means or the positioning means the one independently of the other.

16. In a computing machine, the combination of an actuating member carrying pins thereon; means adapted to operate the actuating member; a locking means normally locking the actuating member and adapted on release to permit the actuating member to move an increment; a numeral member provided with a carrying means to cause said locking means to release the actuating member; a Maltese cross adapted to be engaged and rotated one tooth by each of said pins; a positioning member; a higher order numeral member; and means whereby said higher order member is operated by either the cross or the positioning means the one independently of the other.

17. In a computing machine, the combination of an actuating member; means adapted to operate the actuatin member; a lock- -means; a toothed wheel meshing with said last named pinion and provided with a central bushing provided with a cog wheel; a toothed pinion loosely mounted on said bushing and provided with a carrying arm; a positioning rack engaging said toothed pinion; a higher order numeral wheel provided with a central pinion; and a differential set rotatably mounted on said arm and meshingwith said cog wheel and said central pinion.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 28th day of June, 1917, Berlin, in the presence of the two subscribing witnesses.

KARL HOECKEN.

Witnesses WILLY KfinNnR, RUnoLF BRUNHUBEB. 

